OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have dominated out defensive sort out Nnamdi Madubuike for Sunday’s recreation on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, with coach John Harbaugh acknowledging he is fearful in regards to the Professional Bowler’s neck harm.
“I might say I’m involved about it,” Harbaugh stated Wednesday when requested if he is fearful that Madubuike’s harm may very well be long run.
He then added: “However I am not likely ready to touch upon it proper now. I have not been given the OK to touch upon it at this level.”
It has been an enormous loss for a struggling Ravens protection that ranks final within the NFL for the primary time since Week 16 of 2021. The 27-year-old Madubuike, the Ravens’ greatest defensive lineman who has made the Professional Bowl the previous two seasons, has 21.5 sacks because the begin of the 2023 season — probably the most by any defensive sort out within the league.
With out Madubuike, the Ravens allowed 207 yards dashing between the tackles — probably the most they’ve allowed in a recreation since ESPN started monitoring the stat in 2006 — in Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Baltimore additionally did not report a sack in a recreation for the primary time in 4 years.
The Ravens are attempting to keep away from their first 1-3 begin in 10 years.
Madubuike developed signs after Baltimore’s Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns and underwent additional testing. The Ravens are not sure when the harm occurred in that recreation and haven’t any timetable on his return.
“So, he is not going to play this week, I can let you know that,” Harbaugh stated. “And we will need to see going ahead after they know what they should know.”
Madubuike is within the second yr of a four-year, $98 million contract that features $75.5 million assured.
“Clearly, he is a man that we’d like and is dominant,” outdoors linebacker Odafe Oweh stated. “I really feel unhealthy, however it’s the subsequent man up mentality. We would be doing him a disservice if we had been out right here not taking part in exhausting.”
Oweh stated he spoke to Madubuike a number of days in the past.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to get in his head to see how he feels,” Oweh stated. “He feels good. He is simply making an attempt to get again on the sphere.”
Madubuike is not the one Ravens defensive lineman coping with an harm. Beginning nostril sort out Travis Jones (knee) and defensive sort out Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle), who stuffed in for Madubuike, each didn’t follow Wednesday.
“I’ve feeling about these guys,” Harbaugh stated. “However we must wait and see.”
